Blues, Stomps, & Rags #41

R.W. Durden was a mandolin and banjo-mandolin player who recorded in Atlanta in 1931, with two guitar players, calling themselves The Three Stripped Gears. Terry Zwigoff says of their playing, " 'Blackberry Rag' is reminiscent of the Scottsdale String Band's sound although Durden incorporates subtle variations in the first part of the tune almost every time he plays it -- something the Scottsdale mandolinist never did. But both bands recorded around the same time for the same company in the same city and may have influenced each other." Otherwise, I can tell you nothing about Durden, a lively mandolin player. (Information from Zwigoff, Terry. Notes to Early Mandolin Classics, Rounder.)


Here is one of their 1931 recordings of a popular rag. If the links don't work, search YouTube for "Blackberry Rag/Three Stripped Gears".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd7FhWPHcy4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd7FhWPHcy4


And here's another exciting tune. If the links don't work, search YouTube for "Three Stripped Gears/Alabama Blues".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF18gVWgPIY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF18gVWgPIY